Biography of Dr. David Haines

DR. DAVID HAINES.
This gentleman was born in Cortland, Westchester Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1805. His father, James Haines.* had a family
of eight children. He was a farmer, but preached the gospel to some extent after moving to Onondaga Co., N. Y.
In 1821 he removed with his family to Rochester, Monroe Co., in the same State, where his son David attended the
high school until he became of age, when he began the study of dentistry, in a short time taking up also the study
of medicine. These studies were prosecuted during a period of about eight years. After a short practice in Rochester
he located at Toronto, Canada; where he remained two years, and where, on the 11th of May, 1836, he married Miss
Mary Ann Burrell. Six children blessed this union, viz.: James P., born Dec. 8, 1837, went South before the war
and has not since been heard from; Mary L., born Sept. 4, 1839, married to Mr. Codman, and lives in Wakeshma township;
Medora E., born Aug. 5, 1841; now deceased; Charles H., born May 17, 1843, married Miss Barkley, and lives in this
town; Elizabeth H., born Nov. 27, 1845, married F. J. Alroid, now living in Wakeshma; Isabella, born Dec. 9, 1847,
married A. J. Pulver, living in Wakeshma. Mrs. Haines died June 22, 1849.

In 1824, Dr. Haines was employed as clerk in avariety store in Rochester, N. Y. in 1832 he was a member of the
Rush Institute, at the same place, it being composed of young physicians and medical students. Dr. Haines was secretary
during its existence. In 1834 he was appointed surgeon in the 18th Rifle. Regiment, 2d Division State Militia,
under Col. A. W. Riley, and served until the command was disbanded, in 1839. He was candidate for alderman in the
Fourth Ward of Rochester against Moses B. Seward, a nephew of Mr. Lincoln’s Secretary of State, and was defeated
by a majority of three votes. Upon being strongly urged he allowed his name to appear as a candidate for the same
position the following year. The laboring class of the city learned the men on the ticket with him were in favor
of enlarging the Erie Canal, and all the candidates were elected by their votes, they seeking the furtherance of
the canal project, because it was likely to furnish them with work. During the last two years of his medical studies,
the doctor practiced considerably in Rochester, and after his course was completed, continued in practice for a
short time. In 1853 he came to Michigan and bought a farm of eighty acres in Wakeshma township, to which he has
since added two hundred and sixty-three acres, and disposed of forty. After a residence of six years in this town,
he removed to Leonidas, St. Joseph Co., where he also remained six years, finally returning to Wakeshma, where
he still resides. The doctor is a Republican in politics, and has never sought office. He consented to be a candidate
for supervisor of Wakeshnia in 1854, but was defeated by a majority of five, none of his party being elected. He
has. since declined to accept the nomination for any office, partly, as he remarks, from a “constitntional dread
of exercise;" and it was only by strong persuasion that he ever consented to allow his name to be used in
political affairs, as he has always been opposed to “running for office.”

FROM:
History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of its Men and Pioneers.
Everts & Abbott., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia.